plausible deniability - Everything2.com
plausible deniability plausible deniability is a age-old political tactic. The guy in charge often wants to do things, and doesn't want the public to know that he ordered them done. So he has a private chat with a subordinate, the subordinate does the dirty, and then if things go wrong the subordinate can take the rap. As there is no record that his superior knew what was going on, he can thus deny involvement and be believed. Hence the name. It works because the burden of proof is on those seeking to show that he was involved, and all he has to do is sow enough doubt.
Source: everything2.com